Silver Dawn: 30ft Top of the South Fishing Boat

After World War Two

After World War Two Ronnie Wells decided to sell Silver Dawn and build a larger launch for himself. Two Guard brothers of Pukatea Bay brought Silver Dawn for commercial fishing. The brothers were Charlie and Allan Guard and they formed the fishing partnership known as Guard Bros. they lived in Nelson but fished out of French Pass. In Voices From The Sea Allan Guard recalls being blocked from landing their fish in Nelson by the Nelson Fisheries Association which could only process a certain amount of fish. At the time Allan Guard remembers there was an influx of fishermen after the war and stricter incenses. Often these men had limited skills and many went bust.

At some time whilst fishing in Stephens passage the Silver Dawn hit a rock and started sinking. The men on board made it onto a rock and were rescued by Charlie Jacobson in the Noelene. Later more boats came to rescue Silver Dawn including the Noelene. They towed Silver Dawn, stern first to Pukatea Bay where it was repaired and returned to work as a fishing boat. Presumably this was during the Guard Bros. years.

The Guard Bros. sold the Silver Dawn in 1949 to Martin Nielson so they could buy the Southern Star from Pat and Oliver Gaunsel. the Southern Star came with the license to land fish in Nelson which would have made their lives much easier.

The End

Ron Henderson was the last owner of Silver Dawn. On a stormy night on 2nd October 1962 Silver Dawn was travelling between Taupiri Point and the northern entrance to Croiselles Harbour when the engine failed and the boat was blown onto the rocks. Silver Dawn sunk but luckily Ron Henderson and his crew managed to get to shore in their dinghy.